MCCQ June 2024 Vol 1 Issue1

Queensland

CONNECT QUEENSLAND

and Shanghai

mark 35 years as Sister States with official visit by the Governor of Queensland

Queensland’s Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, is visiting China from this week as part of celebrations marking the 35th signing anniversary of the Queensland-Shanghai Sister State Agreement.

The landmark Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 1989 by Queensland’s then Premier Mike Ahern and the then Mayor of Shanghai and later Premier of China Zhu Rongji.

The bonds between China and Queensland have grown throughout this time to incorporate tourism, cultural exchange, strong educational ties, and flourishing trade.

China is Queensland’s largest source of international students, and the state’s largest trading partner and export market, with 2023 exports valued at $24 billion.

The Governor will also attend a Friends of Queensland reception in Guangzhou whilst travelling and will meet with a range of Queensland businesses, education providers and alumni operating in the market.

“Queensland and China have a highly productive relationship, and we have much to celebrate,” says the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM:

Further she added: “I am honoured to be here

to mark the anniversary of the long and enduring ties between Queensland and Shanghai.

“Queensland is very proud to be part of the agreement and contribute to the many benefits that have flowed from it for our state and Shanghai.”

Some intersting facts about Queensland and China Trade:

• The Queensland Government operates five trade and investment offices in China.

• In 2022-23, Queensland total (goods and services) exports were nominally valued at $144.3 billion, a new record high.

Half-price train tickets to Brisbane Airport

Brisbane, May 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministratial Statement, Press Release)

The Miles Government is leading the nation by delivering another massive cost of living relief initiative to Queensland commuters, and busting congestion.

Savings are set to soar, with half-price Airtrain tickets now part of the Queensland Government’s cost busting 6-month initiative across the public transport network.

The Miles Government has negotiated a deal with Airtrain, further bolstering cost of living savings for commuters.

From 5 August 2024, halfprice train tickets will be available to Brisbane Airport terminals for a 6-month trial period.

This initiative will result in real savings for Queenslanders, with ticket prices reduced from $21.90 to only $10.95 for go card and EMV and $11 for paper

tickets when traveling from Central Station to the Airport.

The reduction of Airtrain fares is just the latest cost-of-living relief initiative the Miles Government has offered to public transport users, having earlier this week announced 50 cent fares on all Translink services across the state from 5 August.

With Airtrain now included in this initiative, this means that commuters can travel on the network, from as far as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast to the Airport for as little as $11.50.

Significantly reducing the cost of public transport to the Airport will encourage more commuters to hop on board the Airtrain, reducing the pressure on the road network and busting road congestion.

In an effort to better enhance ticketing availability and extending purchase options

for workers, work is underway for Airport staff tickets to soon be available at Queensland Rail’s Central Station (worker tickets are currently only available at Brisbane Airport).

Airtrain’s Worker Ticket is included in the significant price reductions, with Weekly Worker Ticket to reduce from $43 to $21.50 and workers Book of 20 tickets reducing from $120 to $60.

Premier Steven Miles explains:

“I am listening to Queenslanders which is why we worked hard to come to an agreement with Airtrain to reduce the cost of travel to Brisbane Airport.

“Rail travel to the terminals will now be included in our six-month cost-busting public transport trial, meaning travellers and workers will pay less to get to the airport.

continued on pg. 2

Queensland is Bluey’s world for real life

Brisbane, June 1 (MCCQ Newsdesk Ministerial Press Release) Queensland is Bluey’s world – for real life.

That’s the latest major tourism marketing offensive Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is kicking off today, in its biggest campaign in more than a decade.

Building on the global phenomenon, Queensland will be pitched as ‘Bluey’s world, for real life’, encouraging visitors from around the world to come and experience the Queensland lifestyle and what Bluey’s world is really like.

Tourism industry representatives and community groups will gather at locations around the state today as they aim to set a world record for the biggest Keepy Uppy game - inspired by one of Bluey’s favourite games where a balloon must be kept in the air as long as possible. The world record attempt will see hundreds of people keeping a giant red ball in the air, across multiple Keepy Uppy games spanning almost 2,000km across Queensland.

This partnership is a first

between TEQ and BBC Studios and builds on the incredible popularity of Bluey to bring visitors to Bluey’s home state of Queensland and to explore the immersive Bluey’s World experience, set to open at Brisbane’s Northshore on November 7.

The campaign sees tourism heavyweights offer exclusive deals, with the Qantas Group, Expedia Group, the Flight Centre Travel Group and Accor Group coming in behind it to convert global publicity into booked Queensland holidays.

TEQ will launch a major local and international publicity blitz from today, expected to reach tens of millions in Australia, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore - some of the state’s top international markets and countries where Bluey is also popular.

The television ad is fronted by the Queensland tourism industry’s own Robert Irwin, recently named Australia’s most popular broadcast

continued on pg. 2

Brisbane May 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk Press release TIQ)

Publisher Dr. Noel Kannagaraj

Editor

Mrs. Amrita Deshpande Dr. Ram Mohan

Contributors

Amrita Deshpande

Various Organisations, Volunteers and Members of MCCQ

Website Design & Updates

A’s Design Studio

Designing Layout

A’s Design Studio

Editorial secretary@mccq.org.au

Advertising secretary@mccq.org.au

Multicultural Community Connect Queensland Unit 49, 391, WICKHAM TERRACE, Ground Floor, Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD – 4000

Queensland and Shanghai mark 35 years as Sister States with official visit by the Governor of Queensland ... continued from page 1

• In 2022-23, Queensland was Australia’s second-largest goods exporter, after Western Australia.

• In 2022-23, Queensland goods exports represent over one fifth of total national goods exports.

• One in five Queensland jobs are supported by exports.

• One in four jobs across the state are dependent on interstate or international trade.

• In 2022-23, Japan, China, India and South Korea were Queensland’s major goods export destinations.

• Direct flights between Brisbane and Shanghai by China Eastern Airlines resumed on 31 October after a three-year absence caused by the pandemic.

• Queensland took the largest trade delegation in the state’s history to Shanghai

Queensland is Bluey’s world for real life

... continued from page 1

personality.

TEQ is giving away a 12-night Queensland holiday, including a money-can’t-buy family experience at the

Bluey’s World Brisbane event launch. Enter at www. queensland.com/blueysworld.

A major high-impact advertising campaign also kicks off today across Australia and New Zealand on television,

print, digital, social media, out-of-home and with major media partners.

TEQ anticipates that the campaign will help support visitor growth to reach targets

Half-price train tickets to Brisbane Airport

... continued from page 1

“We are leading the nation in delivering cost of living relief initiatives and we know this will provide further help to commuters.

“This initiative, combined with our 50 cent fares on Translink services, will make taking public transport more affordable and attractive to Queenslanders and tourists.

“There has never been a better time to leave the car and the stress of airport parking behind and enjoy the halfprice train trip instead.

“We’ve got a growing population, with more cars on our roads and more people visiting our sunny state by the day - this initiative is a great way to showcase our public transport network and reduce pressure on our roads.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick supports:

“By delivering cost of living relief no matter where people work, we are doing what matters to Queenslanders.

“In a state as big as Queensland, that is important.

“20,000 people work in the airport precinct, and tens of thousands more

in November for the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and will take part in the 2024 event also.

• Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) is the Queensland Government’s dedicated global business agency

of an additional 1.3 million holiday visitors to Queensland who are estimated to spend an additional $1.7 billion by June 2025.

The Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland,

Queenslanders use Brisbane airport to connect with their jobs and with family.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish :

“The Miles Government is providing critical cost of living relief to Queenslanders.

“This initiative will mean money in the pockets of Queenslanders including our

with representation in 21 locations across 16 countries.

• TIQ’s global network helps Queensland companies access international markets and facilitate foreign investments in the state while attracting international investment.

valuable workers based out of the Brisbane airport.

“We want to encourage more people to use public transport and enjoy stress free transport to the airport, from the Gold Coast, the Sunny Coast or from Brisbane.”

“The Airtrain deal was negotiated by the former LNP government led by Rob Borbidge. has supported Bluey since inception in 2018 through its Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) incentive. Since then, 154 episodes of Bluey spanning three seasons have been produced.

Dr Noel A. Kanagaraj Chairman & Multicultural Ambassador

+61 403 799 976

drnoel@noelnetwork.com

On 21 June the world celebrates the International Day of Yoga. As many people know, yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on breathing, flexibility, and strength to boost both mental and physical well being. The practice originated in India around 5,000 years ago but is now popular all over the world, including in hospitals, schools, health clubs, and leisure centres.

Why is yoga so good for you?

There are numerous health benefits associated with yoga, and here are just seven reasons you should consider taking it up today:

• Improve your posture - Yoga can help to significantly improve your posture through improved back and abdominal strength, which enables you to fully support your body weight and stand and sit tall.

• Lower blood pressure - The deep breathing process in yoga can help increase your lung capacity, boosting your endurance and stamina, and enabling you to achieve more when engaging in intense sports.

• Improve strength and muscle tone - The poses used in yoga are designed to strengthen specific parts of the body, helping give more definition to your muscles. For example the well-known "˜Chair pose' strengthens your legs, including your glutes and quadriceps.

• Increase flexibility - Many people believe they are not flexible enough to do yoga. However, you don't need to be flexible to practise yoga, but by doing so it will help improve your flexibility. This is because yoga "˜asanas' (or postures) work by stretching your muscles safely, enabling you to practise a deeper stretch. Yoga also increases the range of motion in your joints, improving mobility.

• Lose weight - It is well known that stress is a key contributor to weight gain, so yoga can help you to lose weight naturally by providing you with a deep sense of relaxation for both your body and mind.

• Lower the risk of injury - Other forms of exercise such as running usually require a series of forceful and rapid movements, heightening the risk of injury and leading to increased muscle tension. Conversely yoga is an activity that focuses on balance which can help to prevent injury. It's worthwhile combining more intense workouts with low-impact yoga to help lower your risk of injury.

• Improve your mood and lower stress - Meditation can help to reduce anxiety, relieve tension and improve your mood. By helping you to establish an internal connection with yourself, many people feel that yoga can boost their self-confidence. Breathing techniques used in yoga also increase oxygen levels to the brain, helping make you more content and happier with everyday life.

MARCH 2024 - Vol 1, Issue 1

Heaven scent: Rising star adorns Southern Cross

Brisbane, May 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk, First Published in InReview by Phil Brown)

It was the wrong musical to be singing in the rain but Brisbane soprano Nina Korbe didn’t mind at all. She was making her professional debut as Maria in West Side Story in Opera Australia’s Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour recently when the weather turned inclement one night –but she didn’t care.

“It was incredible,” says Korbe, who’s back in Brisbane preparing for her star turn in Southern Cross Soloists’ second concert for the year, Perfumes of the East.

SXS artistic director Tania Frazer says the concert will “invite audiences to journey into the exotic with a sensory odyssey inspired by the Mediterranean’s enchanting shores”.

“Konstantin Shamray features in Saint-Saens’ sparkling and majestic Piano Concerto No. 5, famously dubbed The Egyptian, evoking the grandeur of Luxor’s ancient temple,” Frazer explains.

“We explore works by Vivaldi, Kovacs, Ravel, Rimsky-Korsakov and SaintSaens. Nina Korbe presents an alluring selection of songs that capture the vibrant spices and rich aromas of Mediterranean cultures, along with a new composition by the esteemed vocal composer Stephen Leek for the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project.

“The concert also features Southern Cross Soloists’ Ashley Smith on clarinet in two Spanish-inspired pieces and James Wannan’s viola in a concerto by Vivaldi for the rarely heard Viola d’amore, known as the viola of love.”

Didgeridoo master Chris Williams will also play.

Programming Nina Korbe some time ago was visionary considering her star has been on the rise for the past couple of years. The First Nations soprano is an accomplished young performer who is quickly establishing herself as a rising talent in the opera

world. She has been praised for her creamy tone, brilliant top notes and sensitive performances, which continue to delight audiences.

Korbe began performing with Opera Queensland and has amassed credits for their productions of La Bohème, Die Fledermaus, Il Barbiere de Siviglia, Peter Grimes and Verdi’s Requiem.

She received her Bachelor of Music Performance with Distinction from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and is a graduate of the Master of Arts Programme from the Royal Academy of Music in London.

This year Korbe continues as artist-in-residence with Queensland Youth Orchestras, with whom she toured in Europe and Asia last year. She is also a Melba Opera Trust Scholar.

Korbe is passionate about the representation of Indigenous artists in the creative industries and as a proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, Wakka Wakka woman is actively

involved in the championing of Indigenous voices. She’s on the board for Queensland Youth Orchestra’s reconciliation action plan as a First Nations representative, while also working with QSO on their First Nations advisory board.

At just 25 Korbe has it all. Making her professional debut in the role of Maria in West Side Story with Opera Australia got her a lot of attention. She’s just back home in Brisbane after performing at Opera Queensland’s Festival of Outback Opera.

“I really can’t complain,” says Korbe, with a certain amount of understatement. “This year has been incredible. In Sydney I had the best time performing on the harbour watching the sun set over the Sydney Opera House.

“We had torrential rain for one performance but it was quite romantic performing in the rain. Yes, we were singin’ in the rain but we had special weather contingency shoes and everything was fine.”

Except the weather. But that was just one night in a stellar season that catapulted her into the national and international spotlight.

For Perfumes of the East, Korbe will be singing works by Ravel and RimskyKorsakov, the Russian composer. The Russian work is called The Nightingale and the Rose.

“It’s my first time singing in Russian,” says Korbe, who’s loved working with SXS on several occasions. So how is she dealing with her newfound fame?

“It’s all very flattering and a little overwhelming,” she says. But she’ll take it.

Southern Cross Soloists and QPAC present Perfumes of the East, June 2, 3pm, Concert Hall, QPAC

southernxsoloists.com

https://inreview.com. au/429981

Southern Cross Soloists’ upcoming Perfumes of the East concert offers the chance to hear Australia’s most exciting

opera star in action

Photo of Emma Korbe

Shine a light on Indigenous art in the Far North

Brisbane, May 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk, written by Vicky Englund First Published in InReview)

Celebrating its 15th anniversary in July, the hugely successful Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has gained more attendees and participants each year and will again showcase outstanding artworks and performances by Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Tickets are available now for the July 25-28 art fair, with hundreds of First Nations artists including fashion designers and musicians participating.

They come from as far afield as the Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf communities right down to the south-east corner of the state and out to western communities. More than 300 artworks are anticipated to be included in the art fair, to be staged at the Cairns Convention Centre.

CIAF artistic director Francoise Lane, a Kaurareg and Meriam woman from the Torres Strait Islands, talks about the meaning of this year’s theme, Country Speaking.

“Country in an Indigenous sense represents the people, the custodians with that long

connection to their Country lands,” Lane says. “It’s about the ancient and living songlines that speak to the forming of Country, and about the ancestors of that forming and how they relate to the people of that Country. It’s also about the kin – the creatures – and the relationship with the waterways.”

Lane emphasises that the connection to Country allows it to speak to those who care for it, saying, “It can be something gentle like the changing wind or the currents … for example, that could mean that the crocodiles are going to come around in a new season”.

“Country can also scream loudly that it’s not being cared for. For example, rising waters on low-set islands … or raging fires that burn everything in their path,” Lane says. “Now more than ever, it’s time to look at how First Nations people of this country cared for it, and take them as an example.”

The theme Country Speaking will also be evident in the Light the Fire Fashion performance – a dance through Indigenous fashion. The thread of renewal from land

management’s traditional fire burning practices will be celebrated in the fashion designs and performance.

“Collections from 12 First Nations designers will be showcased, with the theme also speaking to evoking the fire within us that is lit when we’re expressing our culture,” Lane says. “One of the ways that it’s expressed is through the canvas of the body and clothing and design.”

Clothing from some of the collections will also be for sale.

Satellite exhibition Not Selling Cakes will also celebrate the art fair’s 15th anniversary. The intriguing title references a landmark 2006 report to the Queensland Government, by the late artist Billy Messi, investigating issues affecting the sustainability of Indigenous art centres in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait.

Messi’s report became a key factor that led to the launch of CIAF in 2009. In recognition of this, 15 arts professionals have provided input into the development of the Not Sell-

ing Cakes exhibition.

Another art fair highlight will be a two-day symposium and think tank, Country Speaking: Towards Ancestral Future. Academic Dr Jilda Andrews, a Yuwaalaraay cultural practitioner and museum ethnographer in Canberra, will contribute, along with Dr Danièle Hromek, a Saltwater woman of Budawang/Dhurga/ Yuin and Burrier/Dharawal ancestry, with French and Czech heritage. She’s the first Indigenous person in Australia to achieve a PhD in spatial disciplines.

Music isn’t left out of the fair. Alongside traditional dancers and musicians, on July 27 popular First Nations hip-hop rapper BARKAA and singer Simone Stacey will perform No Shame in My Game.

It’s all part of a huge offering over four days for an event that attracted 50,000 visits last year (with 30,000 individual visitors). More than 600 artists, performers

and visual artists took part, with the Cairns economy benefitting $4 million from intrastate visitors and more than $3 million from interstate visitors. Many people head to Cairns for the art fair, combining cultural tourism with enjoying the natural beauty of the area through usual tourist activities.

Lane sums it up: “What is being celebrated is the continuing, living Far North arts and culture of Queensland. My aim is that people walk away (saying), ‘Oh my goodness, I’m just so proud of how deep our culture goes in Australia’.”

ciaf.com.au

https://inreview.com. au/430030

Photo: The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair attracts thousands of art lovers to Queensland’s Far North every year.

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is now part of the cultural fabric of Queensland – and it’s on again in July

Queensland’s Taiwanese community celebrates the inauguration of Taiwan’s new President

On May 20, 2024, a bipartisan delegation of Australian politicians attended the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Dr. Lai Ching-Te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-Kim in Taipei. The delegation included Senators Raff Ciccone, David Fawcett, and Claire Chandler, along with MPs Luke Gosling and Scott Buchholz. Australian governments and people congratulated Taiwan on this significant democratic milestone.

From Queensland, Susan Yang, President of World Arts & Multi-Culture Inc., and Edward Lin, CEO of Australia Taiwan Culture Foundation Ltd., were among the VIPs at the inauguration ceremony, where President Lai delivered his inaugural address titled “Building a Democratic, Peaceful, and Prosperous New Taiwan.”

In Sunnybank, the Queensland Federation of Taiwanese Associations and local Taiwanese community members celebrated with a dinner at the Landmark Restaurant. Director General Willian Fan from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane attended this dinner, where more than 400 delegations extended their congratulations to the people of Taiwan and the Taiwanese community in Brisbane.

Brisbane, May 26

(MCCQ Newsdesk, WAMCI Press Release)

Celebrating the Samoan Independence Day!

Brisbane, May 26

(MCCQ

From Samoa to Kenya, From Goodna to Eumundi, Sunshine Coast the Queensland Community celebrated the Independence Day with the Samoan Community as well as the Madaraka Day with the Kenyan Community in the Sunshine Coast. The attendees enjoyed every second, every moment with both communities coming together to celebrate in unity, harmony & togetherness. According to Adhis Cole, MCCQ board member who attended the event, “ I Felt right at home today surrounded by love & support from both communities bonding over food, music and laughter.”

The Madaraka Day (“Internal self rule” or Self-Governance Day) is a national holiday that

is celebrated every year on 1st of June in the Republic of Kenya. It commemorates the day in 1963 when Kenya attained internal self rule after being a British colony for 33yrs from 1920.

Newsdesk, by Adhis Cole Press Release)

WOMENS MENTORING FOUNDATION IN BRISBANE

Brisbane, May 28, (MCCQ News Desk by Pushpa Vaghela)

ABOUT WOMEN’S MENTORING FOUNDATION (WMF)

Organisations are powered by people. At WMF we help organisations create empowered workplaces so everyone and especially women can perform at their best.

WMF has developed tailored training and mentoring programs which allow people to find their own unique strength. The programs have been designed by WMF’s founder Pushpa Vaghela, who has a background in psychology and is a clinical

neuro practitioner, and has an enormous amount of business, cultural and life’s trauma experience.

WHY WMF

Our experience shows that some of the pain points for people in workplaces are:

• feeling safe and effectively included,

• workplace tension,

• knowing their rights,

• stress burnout,

• mental health and emotional well-being,

• combining family and career,

• and leadership and confidence-building.

We can ease your organisations challenges by addressing these complex issues. WMF

equips mentees with the tools and confidence to overcome obstacles and excel in their roles. This has a flow-on effect to everyone in your organisation. WMF specialises in programs tailored for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women. WMF helps bridge cultural gaps, dismantle stereotypes, and nurture confidence among marginalised groups.

Why Choose Us?

• Experienced facilitators with a deep understanding of corporate environments,

• Proven track record of delivering impactful workshops for leading companies,

• Commitment to promoting employee well-being and organisational success

HOW WMF WORKS

WMF seeks to be your training organisation of choice especially for the women in your organisation.

As change takes time for individuals and organisations, WMF follows up all workshops with a check-in of effectiveness and discusses any further learnings for the team or the need for individual mentoring.

After detailed conversations with an organisation to determine the needs for their team, WMF offers the below tailored training and mentoring programs.

Mental Health Strategies

• Workers’ Rights

• Feeling Safe and Included

• Dispute Resolution

• Embracing Our

Differences

• Anger Management

• Leadership Development

• Combining Career and Family

GET IN TOUCH:

Invest in the well-being and performance of your team. Contact us today to learn more about our workshops and how they can benefit your organisation.

Phone Pushpa Vaghela 0497 998 829

Email pushpa@womensmentoringfoundation.com

Suburban art energised as Artforce winners crowned

Brisbane, May 8, (Mccq Newsdesk Media Release Lord Mayor’s office)

Budding artists, students and community groups have been recognised for their electrifying public works with the winners of the 2023 Artforce Brisbane Awards now crowned.

For more than 20 years, the Artforce Brisbane Awards have celebrated the colourful community murals that transform 65 traffic signal boxes and nine Energex padmount transformers into suburban works of art.

Since the program started in 1999, the initiative has welcomed more than 5000 volunteers who have painted more than 1200 boxes around Brisbane.

At a reception held at City Hall yesterday (Wednesday May 8 2024), 10 category winners were announced for last year’s cohort, including the best overall winner which went to Tara Hooppell’s celebration of Queensland’s iconic agricultural fair in Our EKKA.

The People’s Choice Award went to artist Gabrielle Oliffe for Roll with it, winning with 2667 votes.

The Lord Mayor’s Award was presented to Ally Douglas for their artwork Arcade, which captured moments of significance for the artist

when making memories with their father in arcades back in the 90s.

People and groups of all artistic levels are encouraged to register for the free Artforce program.

For more information on the Artforce Brisbane program, or to view the latest and previous Artforce Brisbane Award winners, visit www. brisbane.qld.gov.au and www. artforcebrisbane.com.au.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner advocates for the Artforce:

“Brisbane is a vibrant artistic city, and our Artforce program makes our suburbs even better.

“Over the past 20 years, talented residents have transformed boring traffic infrastructure into exciting and colourful works of art.

“Each year the calibre of works gets better and better, so choosing our winners is always a difficult task.

“We are proud to offer a program that supports local artists and groups in honing their talents and making Brisbane’s lifestyle even better.”

Artforce Brisbane Award winners 2023

Lord Mayor’s Award

Vulture Street & Leopard Street, Woolloongabba

Arcade

Ally Douglas

People’s Choice Award

Kingsford Smith Drive & Cooksley Street, Hamilton QLD

Roll with it

Gabrielle Oliffe

Best Organisation

Clarence Road & Lambert Road, Indooroopilly

Leeches Day Out

Art From The Margins, Wesley Mission

Best Primary School, Kindy, and Creche

Boundary Street & Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill

Under the Sea

Brisbane Grammar School

Best High School

Nudgee Road & Gerler Road, Hendra

Connections

Underground

Mary MacKillop College

Best 18 & Under

Blunder Road & Reedy Road, Oxley

Paww-lice Dog

Brielle Dunkinson

Best 12 & Under

Old Cleveland Road & Creek Road, Carindale

Don’t Hurry, Be Happy

Stella Minotto

Highly Commended 12 & Under

Newnham Road (pedestrian crossing) & Colwyn Street, Upper Mt Gravatt

Ant You Hungry?

Olivia Shen

Best Energex Box

291 Milton Road, Milton

Toot Toot Beep Beep Hoot

Hoot Tweet Tweet

Bronte Mark

Best Overall Traffic Signal Box

Bowen Bridge Road & Horace Street (at Boral Concrete), Windsor

Our Ekka

Tara Hooppell

ECCQ WEN Group embarks on organising 2nd Workshop

This workshop will be held at the Queensland Multicultural Center at Kangaroo Point.

ECCQ WEN group is all geared up to organise their 2nd workshop in the workshop series on Domestic Violence. The Title of the workshop is:

Family Law and Service Providers Orientation.

The Workshop is good for those who are intersted in knowing what the service providers are doing in the area of domestic violence.

We have representatives from

• Home affairs department,

• Challenge DV,

• Center Against Sexual Violence,

• and Women’s Legal Services who have confirmed to be at the workshop. They will not only speak but also participate in a panel discussion.

The goal of this workshop is to educate community leaders on how to respond to Domestic Violence ,

including coercive control and be familiar with the service providers and their serivces being offered to all especially the multicultural community.

The workshop will help community leaders to understand the Family Law and rights of the victim in a domestic violence situation.

Hence, we encourage WEN

members to bring a friend who will definitely benefit from the information provided in the workshop.

There are limited spaces available so check the Flyer below for registration information.

For more information and queries contact advocacy@ eccq.com.au

Brisbane, May 28 (MCCQ News Desk, written by Amrita Deshpande)

DFV integrated service commences in Redlands

Brisbane, May 23 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

• A new specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) service has commenced in the Redlands.

• The Centre for Women and Co. is leading the new High Risk Team (HRT)

• 11 HRTs will be operating across Queensland by 2025-26, following recommendations by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce.

• A new specialist DFV service has begun operating in the Redlands thanks to the Miles Government.

The Centre for Women and Co. is leading the new Redlands-based High Risk Team (HRT) offering enhanced coordination to better respond to victims at risk of serious harm.

The organisation has provided free crisis intervention and support services to women and families, fostering a safer environment across the Logan, Beenleigh and Redlands regions for three decades.

The Redlands HRT started taking referrals in April.

HRTs coordinate and focus the efforts of government and community sector agencies to keep DFV victims safe and hold perpetrators to account.

Experienced staff from agencies, including police and health and housing services, who provide support to victims and effective interventions to perpetrators ensure that support is coordinated to keep women and children safe from DFV.

The Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce investigated

the HRT model, which is a core component of Queensland’s integrated service response, recommending additional specialist initiatives in key locations across the state, and tailored support and advice for First Nations individuals and communities.

The Redlands is the tenth area in Queensland where a HRT has been established, with Rockhampton to come online next year.

New HRT funding allows for embedded First Nations Cultural Advisors to provide consideration of local protocols, languages, and family or kinship groups – with community-led organisation Five Bridges selected to provide the role for the Redlands HRT.

Further information about the HRTs and Queensland’s response to domestic and family violence can be found at: https://www.justice.qld. gov.au/about-us/services/ women-violence-prevention/ violence-prevention/ service-providers/ integrated-service-responses.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Yvette D’Ath exoressed her concerns and says:

“This is a serious response to a serious issue.

“High Risk Teams bring government and non-government agencies together to provide timely and effective responses to keep victims and their children at imminent risk of serious violence, safe.

“We know this initiative is bringing together health services, emergency accommodation specialists,

legal professionals and law enforcement, to deliver rapid and effective assistance to our communities.

“This is what it is about – ensuring responses are integrated, and able to identify the most effective ways we can help victims of violence and hold perpetrators accountable in Queensland’s criminal justice system.

“My thanks also go to the Centre for Women and Co and the community-led organisation Five Bridges, which will provide a First Nations Cultural Advisor to support the work of the Redlands team.

“We will continue to evaluate and support government and community services that are helping address domestic and family violence in our state.”

Redlands MP, Kim Richards appreciated the efforts of the Center for Women and Co:

“I am pleased to highlight the dedicated work of the Centre for Women and Co, which will lead the Redlands HRT and enhance the region’s capacity to provide critical support to those facing increased risks of domestic and family violence.

“We know domestic and family violence is a scourge on our society.

“By bringing together all the relevant agencies on this Redlands HRT we will be able to better respond to victims at risk, and hold perpetrators to account.

“I am proud to be a member of a government that supports victim-survivors and is continuing to implement meaningful reforms to make a difference in the lives of women and children across Queensland.”

Homes for Queenslanders: New social homes for Bundaberg

Brisbane, May 22 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

• Miles Government announces seven new social homes in Bundaberg South where previously was one.

• Also progressing social housing potential for government-owned land in Avoca

• Part of Homes for Queenslanders plan for 53,500 social homes by 2046

• Stark contrast to LNP who sent social housing backwards by 428 homes, blocking Help to Buy legislation

The Miles Government continues to deliver its social housing Big Build with works to start later this year on seven more homes in Bundaberg as part of its Homes for Queenslanders plan.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon says the Big Build is all at risk however under the LNP who cut social housing and will cut it again.

The new project will be built by Queensland company Bryant Building Contractors and will include three Gold level homes under the Livable Housing Design Guidelines.

This means the homes will be suitable for people with disability or older Queenslanders who use mobility aids.

The Bundaberg South site had previously had a three-bedroom home on it which was relocated to Gympie to house a family in need.

In addition to the seven new homes, the government is progressing work on potential social housing opportunities at a government-owned site in

Avoca.

Technical assessments of the site are now underway by the Department, including master planning and site assessments, with initial advice indicating the site has the potential to housing outcomes for families, couples and individuals.

The department is also progressing due diligence on other sites in the region to develop a pipeline of new social housing to contribute to the 53,500 social homes target under the Homes for Queenslanders plan.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:

“Where the Bundaberg South property could previously have helped one family, once construction is completed, it will provide a home for seven households who need social housing.

“When the government was putting together Homes for Queenslanders, I made it clear that we wanted to see more social housing for our community.

“These homes will make a huge difference.”

Premier Steven Miles says:

“Bundaberg locals have told me that housing is really important to them, and they want to see greater local action.

“That’s exactly why we are building more homes, faster, here in Bundaberg as part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan.

“This block of land will transform from one single home to seven, in a significant boost to local social housing supply.

Queensland Carers Advisory Council welcomes new members

Brisbane, May 21 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

• Louise Faulkner from Wellways Australia is the newest member to be appointed to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council

• The council is also welcoming Fritha Radyk and Melissa Burke

• The council represents and advocates for more than 500,000 dedicated carers across Queensland

• The state’s unpaid carers will continue to have a strong voice with the appointment of three new members to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.

Louise Faulkner from Wellways Australia is the latest appointment to the council, bringing significant personal and professional experience to her advisory role.

Based in Brisbane, Ms Faulkner is the national manager of service delivery for Wellways Carer Gateway (Queensland and New South Wales), which provides support to thousands of carers.

Two additional people have also recently joined the council, Fritha Radyk and Melissa Burke.

Ms Radyk is the new chief executive officer of Carers

Queensland and takes on the position of Council chair, while Ms Burke works for the Department of Education as the executive director of student diversity, disability and inclusion.

The 12-member Queensland Carers Advisory Council was established in 2009 under the Carers (Recognition) Act 2008 to advise the Disability Services Minister and to ensure voices of carers are heard.

Council members are drawn from across Queensland and reflect the diversity of carers, sharing their wealth of knowledge and lived experiences.

The current council term began on 1 February 2024 and ends 31 January 2026.

Minister for Seniors and Disability Services Charis Mullen said:

“There are more than half a million carers in Queensland, and they make an invaluable contribution by supporting people who need assistance.

“I’m delighted to welcome Louise Faulkner to the Queensland Carers Advisory Council.

“Louise brings lived experience as a carer and will no doubt ensure carers receive the recognition, respect and

support they deserve.

“I also welcome Fritha Radyk from Carers Queensland as the new Council chair, and Melissa Burke from the Department of Education, as they continue to represent their carer organisations.

“I look forward to working with all the council members, particularly on priority areas such as raising awareness of the value of carers and improving carer wellbeing.

“Their life experience and skills will help find solutions and opportunities for carers and ensure they have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.”

Legislation passes baton to Games Authority

Brisbane, May 23 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

• Legislation has been passed to establish an independent games delivery authority

• Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority will deliver the new and upgraded venues that will be used during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, and the legacy program

• Authority will begin operations in July, operating at arms-length from government

• Interim CEO due to be appointed in the coming weeks. Advertisement for up to seven independent directors will soon commence – directors will be selected by CEOs of the nine Games Delivery Partners

• Authority to continue building on extensive work already undertaken to deliver venues and prepare for the Games

• Government also accepts committee recommendation to appoint Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee Board

Queensland Parliament today passed the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Amendment Bill 2024, establishing an independent Games delivery authority, delivering on a promise Steven Miles made when he became Premier.

It will deliver new and upgraded venues which will be used during the Games and

provide significant community benefit right across Queensland.

Establishing the Authority as a statutory body under legislation will enable it to operate at arms-length from government. It will have control over its own funds, have operational independence, and operate within a flexible structure, while being subject to public sector accountability and scrutiny.

An interim CEO is due to be appointed shortly and advertisement for up to seven independent directors to the Board that will oversee the authority will soon commence, with appointments expected in September.

Initial tasks of the Authority will include the continued roll out of procurement for new and upgraded venues, delivery of a Games Coordination Plan, to be in place within 12 months of the authority’s establishment, and a Transport and Mobility Strategy within 18 months.

The legislation ensures the Authority’s Board will be truly independent. The Bill outlines a requirement for a selection panel, compromised of CEOs from the nine Games Delivery Partners to choose who will be on the Board. The Government will then ratify this decision and carry out the formal process of appointing the Board.

The Bill makes no changes to the RTI Act, or the way it is applied. The Authority will not be exempt from the Act.

Provisions were included in the 2021 legislation, which

was passed with bipartisan support, at the request of the Australian Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee to ensure certain sensitive commercial, financial, operational information under its control – like international sponsorships – remains confidential. These provisions will only apply to specific information in documents created or received by the Organising Committee.

The Miles Government has also accepted the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendation to appoint Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board in recognition that the Gold Coast will be the most significant location outside of Brisbane during the Games, providing six competition venues that will host twelve events and a 2,600 person Athlete’s Village.

Premier Steven Miles says:

“Queensland now has the best possible framework in place for our continued delivery of government activities to support the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The Authority will now deliver the venues that will be used in 2032 and beyond, while being overseen by a truly independent board, whose members will be selected by the CEOs of the nine Games Delivery partners.

“The Authority will build on the extensive work this government has done since being awarded the Games, and now we’re handing the baton on so we can keep

making great strides in our achievements for Queensland.

“I’m pleased to be accepting the recommendation to appoint the Gold Coast Mayor to the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee Board.

“Tom Tate has been a champion for the Olympic and Paralympic Games since day one and will make an experienced and enthusiastic addition to the Organising Committee.”

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace says:

“All eyes are going to be on Queensland in 2032, and we are going to put on a Games to be proud of that leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.

“The Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority is the right model for a collaborative and cooperative approach to getting this done, and will build on all the progress we’ve already made.

“This includes establishing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, signing a historic $7.1 billion investment agreement with the Commonwealth, launching our Q2032 Procurement Strategy with $180 billion of opportunities for Queensland businesses, standing up the Legacy Committee which has contributed to the Elevate 2042 strategy, committed $100 million to schools through Go for Gold, secured $2.75 billion from the Commonwealth Government for the Sunshine Coast Rail

Line, and launched You for 2032, Australia’s largest ever athlete talent identification program..

“We are also making fantastic progress on venues: details of the first $560 million of contracts for the Sunshine Coast and Chandler - supporting 1,000 jobs – are now in the market, with more already scheduled for later this year and into 2025.”

President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, Andrew Liveris says:

“The Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee looks forward to working with the independent Games Venue and Legacy Delivery Authority, who will oversee the development of legacy venues and infrastructure that will be used for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“As a statutory body, the Authority will have the operational structure that best supports delivery of long-term sporting and community legacies across Brisbane and Queensland.

“The Authority will also have a close connection and working relationship with the Organising Committee, ensuring timelines, budgets and resources fulfil the Host Contract obligations.”

“The Games will be the biggest event in Queensland’s history, and I have every confidence the new Authority will be focused on achieving positive social and economic benefits across the state for generations to come.”

Education Minister announces Fitness Passport agreement for staff wellbeing

Brisbane, May 9

(MCCQ Newsdesk,Ministerial Media Statement Media Release)

• Fitness Passport will give Education Department staff and their families discounted access to health and fitness facilities

• Almost 3500 staff and families in department’s South East Region already signed up

• 95,000 employees throughout Queensland will now be eligible

• The exclusive program offers choice of hundreds of fitness facilities near home and work at a discounted rate all on the one pass.

All Department of Education, including teachers, principals,

teacher-aides, office staff and cleaners and their families will now be able to access the health and wellbeing initiative developed by Fitness Passport.

Fitness Passport provides access to a choice of fitness facilities close to a staff member’s home and work at a discounted rate.

The program has been a huge hit already on the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim with 3490 signed up members in the department where it has been available since 2018.

Now a new agreement between the Education Department and Fitness Passport offers Education employees throughout Queensland and their families

the chance to participate in the program.

It provides choice from an extensive network of facilities with financial savings up to 50%, unlike traditional gym memberships which typically grant access to one facility.

Most Queensland Government departments have contracts with Fitness Passport, which involves no fees or charges for the participating agency.

Providing access to Fitness Passport is in line with the Department of Education’s Staff Wellbeing Framework and the Queensland Government’s wider community objectives.

Education Minister Di Farmer

explains:

“Exercise is such a great way to be healthy and happy and I am pleased to announce the expansion of the Fitness Passport to every Education Department employee in Queensland.

This is an opportunity for teachers, principals, teacher-aides, school office staff and cleaners to access discounted access to fitness facilities near where they live or work.

Our government is committed to providing a positive work environment and supporting teachers and other staff as they educate and support their students.

“The program complements

current health and wellbeing initiatives already provided by the department to support staff including access to a fitness app and online resources for health and wellbeing.

“Fitness Passport provides an opportunity for staff and their families to improve physical wellbeing and for the department to demonstrate support for their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

“The Fitness Passport operating model enables staff to benefit from discounts with gyms and fitness centres across Queensland and Australia, reducing potential cost barriers for staff and family members to access a variety of fitness and physical activity options.”

International Day of Yoga 2024- Let’s all come together and celebrate the benefits of Yoga this year!

Brisbane, 29 May (MCCQ Newsdesk) by

Amrita Deshpande

Every year India celebrates the Day of Yoga with great pride and joy. Yoga has become the soft power of India that has spread in most corners of the world. Ever since the first International Day of Yoga started in 2015, Indian diaspora has been feeling the pride of its power of uniting people together and putting India on the front and center of the world. Thanks to the Modi Government, the Day of Yoga has grown three folds. UN sanctioned the Day of Yoga with the approval and support of 177 countries in 2014. The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in New York, Paris, Beijing, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and New Delhi. Today it is almost celebrated across the globe.

Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st of June, the day of summer solstice. It is said that the Maha yogi “Shiva” started disseminating his knowledge of Yoga on this day of summer Solstice which is also called Guru Pornima.

This year too it will be celebrated on 21st June all over the world as well as in India. In Brisbane the

Consulate General of India, will be celebrating the Day of Yoga on 22nd of June.

Consul General Ms. Neetu Bhagotia along with her team is organizing the event for the Australian Public as well as the Indian diaspora in Brisbane. She says, “I would like to have more Australians joining us on the Day of Yoga to celebrate this Indian tradition and culture we are sharing with everyone.” She also would like all Indian organizations, businesses, and individuals to come together to celebrate this Culture of Yoga.

Yoga no doubt has several benefits to individuals. Not only as an exercise but also to rejuvenate the body holistically cleansing the mind, soul, and the body. Meditation is an integral part of Yoga which is necessary for everyone who must work for 8 hours a day or more. It is also necessary for those who are retired and those who cannot step out of the house and go out and about anymore. Yoga is also for those who want to stay alert, be agile, focus on details, and perform their best to excel in the corporate world.

In short, no matter what your

profession, status, current living situations are, you need Yoga.

Yoga activates all chakras in your body. There are seven Chakras that this process of Yoga activates and sensitizes. Chakra means wheel, an energy center that is in constant movement. These Chakras need to be open and balanced. If they get blocked, then those parts of the Body where the chakras are located are affected. Yoga helps stabilize the chakras, maintain that balanced energy, keeping you healthy.

The main 7 Chakras are:

Crown Chakra

Third Eye Chakra

Throat Chakra

Heart Chakra

Solar Plexus Chakra

Sacral Chakra

Root Chakra

The Crown Chakra is located at the top of your head which is responsible for the brain and cognition. Imbalance in this chakra may make you restless and mentally not sound. This Chakra represents your spiritual connection with yourself, others, and the universe.

The Third Eye Chakra is

located on your forehead between your eyebrows. This Chakra is responsible for your Gut instincts, intuition, and imagination.

The Throat Chakra is at the throat and is responsible for your speech and communication.

Heart Chakra is located closer to the heart at the center of the chest. This chakra is responsible for your ability to love and have compassion.

Solar Plexis Chakra is located at the stomach. This chakra is responsible for your confidence and self-esteem. Your sense and ability to be in control of your life.

Sacral Chakra is located at the belly button which is responsible for sexual energy and creativity. It determines how you relate to your emotions and the emotions of others.

Root Chakra is located at the base of your spine and is responsible for your sense of security and stability. It makes you feel rooted securely and able to take up challenges and overcome them.

Yoga postures are designed

such that they activate these chakras and keep them in balance. In the Breathing exercises you often pass the breath through all the Chakras providing the necessary oxygen needed for the body parts to keep functioning soundly.

Hence, regular yoga practice helps these Chakras to be in balance to give you the right amount of energy needed. Too much activity in the chakras can result in adverse outcomes. Low energy will also make you feel emotional and function at a low capacity.

We all know that healthy eating habits are a must to keep our body in balance and functioning at the optimum capacity. Along with regular exercise, meditation also helps to maintain spiritual, mental and emotional self-balance.

Yoga gives you the ability to keep your body in check through all the five selves Physical, Cognitive, Social, Emotional, and Creative Self.

Definitely make it a point to attend the International Day of Yoga event to know more about these benefits and just to enjoy the day mixing and mingling with others.

Connecting . Empowering . Learning .

May 2024

By Maria Judith Guillergan

Bayside Women in Business (BWIB) is a vibrant networking organization dedicated to connecting and empowering professional women. With a mission to help every woman achieve brilliant success, BWIB offers a range of learning opportunities and networking events The organization is renowned for fostering a supportive community where women can share experiences, gain insights, and build lasting professional relationships

The most recent BWIB networking lunch was a resounding success Held in Wynnum Manly Leagues Club on 17th May 2024, the event featured a compelling presentation by Angelika Thew from Switch To Success Her talk, titled “Empower Your Hours: Mastering Time Management & Boundaries,” captivated the audience with practical strategies for optimizing productivity and maintaining a healthy work-life balance Attendees left inspired and equipped with actionable tools to enhance their professional and personal lives.

BWIB’s commitment to providing valuable networking opportunities continues to attract a growing number of professional women eager to learn, connect, and thrive. Through events like these, BWIB not only facilitates meaningful connections but also empowers women to reach their fullest potential in their careers and beyond

Member, Maria Judith Guillergan from Global Fair won a Feng Shui consultation donated by our Membership manager Maree Malouf from 9 Pillar Feng Shui

Kelly Batt from Coach Kelly Batt won a gorgeous Graduation Bear donated by Janette Corporal from The Gown Chick.

Andrea Paynter from Organisational Risk Consulting won a magnesium pack donated by our Nicola Glasper from Inspire Athletic.

Brisbane,

MCCQ Newsdesk

Celebrating the Spirit of Service: The 2024 Queensland Volunteering Awards

Goldcoast, May 26 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Media).

The 2024 Queensland Volunteering Awards took place on the morning of Wednesday, 22 May, at the illustrious Brisbane City Hall. It was a heartwarming sight to witness the community come together to support the nominees and finalists, and to share in the joy of the award recipients as they were announced.

The Queensland Volunteering Awards are a testament to the remarkable contributions and the unwavering spirit of service demonstrated by volunteers across our state. These awards, presented in six distinct categories, shine a spotlight on the dedication and impact of Queensland’s volunteer force. The categories include:

- Queensland Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award

- Queensland Youth Volunteer of the Year Award

- Queensland Excellence in Volunteer Management Award

- Queensland Volunteering Impact Award

- Queensland Corporate Volunteering Award

- Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award

What a way to wrap up a busy National Volunteer Week!

Queensland’s volunteers are the lifeblood of their communities, extending helping hands and fostering vital human connections that bring hope and meaning to the lives of others. This year has been no exception. The Queensland Volunteering Awards provide a unique opportunity to recognize and thank all the selfless, inspiring volunteers, volunteer managers, volunteer-involving organisations, and businesses with active volunteering programs.

Volunteers dedicate their time, effort, and skills to better our society. Over three million Queensland volunteers, which accounts for 75% of the adult Queensland population, have provided unparalleled assistance to people and causes across our beautiful

state. Every year, we come together to celebrate some of the volunteers who go above and beyond to keep their communities thriving. This year, the gala event was celebrated during National Volunteer Week at Brisbane City Hall.

Meet The Recipients:

Queensland Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award - Allan Quartermaine

Allan Quartermaine OAM, was born in Ayr, Queensland in September 1923. Interspersed with his operational service in the Royal Australian Navy, during World War II, he pursued a career with the Commonwealth Bank across Queensland. His leadership talent resulted in his appointment to a number of executive leadership positions within a range of community groups. Dedicating his life to volunteerism and community service, Allan has been a community volunteer for Legacy for over half his life. With over 60 years volunteering for Sunshine Coast Legacy, Allan was responsible for the implementation of foundational projects and procedures, currently in place.

Queensland Youth Volunteer of the Year Award - Tobias Kennet

Tobias has been an outstanding volunteer, mentor and leader across the YMCA, Scouts Qld and the Queensland Youth Parliament.

His contribution has been immense for his young age: since 16 he has donated so many weekends in service and always finds time to volunteer while commuting to university and during lunch breaks.

Queensland Excellence in Volunteer Management Award - Vicki Meyer

Vicki Meyer manages the volunteer services for Inclusee, a virtual social support services for older Australians.

With 300 volunteers who only engage virtually, Vicki has fostered an exceptional sense of community and created valued opportunities for collaboration, personal development, and connection.

Recognising the changing needs and motivations in volunteerism, Vicki has focused on increased engagement, inclusion and adopting the new National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.

Queensland Volunteering Impact Award - Care Kits for Kids Qld Inc

Care Kits for Kids’ hard-working volunteers are outstanding. They are amazingly generous with their time, skills and commitment to meeting increasing demand for Care Kits. More than 70 volunteers from diverse backgrounds work every week in its crafting and packing sheds. Some volunteers have taken on leadership roles supervising various activities and training new volunteers.

Care Kits for Kids supplies free kits to thousands of Queensland children in care or crisis each year. These kids are backpacks providing 2 days’ supply of new clothing, toiletries, education supplies, toys, books, and quilts.

Queensland Corporate Volunteering Award - Auto & General

Volunteering is embedded in Auto and General’s company culture and is a part of its employee value proposition. The “A&G Difference’’ program supports communities through donations, fundraising, sponsorships, in-kind support and volunteering.

Queensland Volunteer of the Year Award - Ian Grace

Ian has tirelessly devoted his time and energy every week, year on year, when the young musicians from Youth Music Venture come together

to rehearse. He founded the charity 14 years ago from nothing, and with the support of the Qld Police, has provided support to over 600 children building self-esteem immeasurably by helping those disadvantaged through family difficulty, disability, peer pressure or illness.

Every single volunteer, whether in a formal or informal setting, deserves heartfelt thanks from the Queensland community. The Queensland Volunteering Awards highlight the individuals behind this immense positive wave, embodying the spirit of mateship and togetherness.

Since 2016, Volunteering Queensland has run and hosted the Queensland Volunteering Awards, celebrating exceptional volunteers from all around Queensland. Over the past nine years, these awards have recognized and honoured over a thousand nominated volunteers, including the esteemed recipients of each award.

This year, the awards ceremony saw the attendance of Dr. Ram Mohan, President of Multicultural Community Connect Queensland (MCCQ). Dr. Mohan’s presence at the event underscored our organisation’s steadfast support and involvement in the community. Photographs captured Dr. Mohan with the award winners, government leaders, and other influential individuals within the Queensland community, showcasing MCCQ’s commitment to promoting a multicultural community and celebrating diversity.

MCCQ remains dedicated to fostering a sense of unity and support among Queensland’s

diverse communities. Our participation in events like the Queensland Volunteering Awards exemplifies our commitment to recognizing and uplifting the selfless efforts of volunteers who make a significant impact on the lives of others.

As we reflect on this year’s awards, we are reminded of the incredible power of volunteerism. The dedication, passion, and hard work of volunteers are the cornerstones of a compassionate and resilient society. The Queensland Volunteering Awards not only honour these exceptional individuals but also inspire others to contribute and make a difference in their communities.

In conclusion, we extend our deepest gratitude to all volunteers, nominees, finalists, and recipients. Your efforts are the heartbeat of our communities, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. MCCQ is proud to support and celebrate the invaluable work of volunteers across Queensland. Together, we can continue to build a more inclusive, supportive, and vibrant community for all.

Bangladesh Association in Brisbane Celebrates Nabobarsho -New Year and Baisakhi Mela!

Brisbane, May 29 (MCCQ Newsdesk, by Amrita Deshpande.)

Bangladesh Association in Brisbane, organized the Bengali New Year (Naboborsho Celebration) and Boisakhi Mela at the Robella Domain in Springfield.

It was a great mix of culture, arts, food, music, dance and lots of entertainment.

Multicultural Community Connect Queensland Inc. leaders were invited to the event as VIP guests. Mrs. Amrita Deshpande represented MCCQ at the event.

In attendance were politicians from all the three levels of Government. Namely, Hon. Speaker of the House of representatives, Mr. Milton Dick MP , Senator Paul Scarr, Mr. James Martin MP, member for Stretton, Mayor Jon Raven of Logan and Mayor Teresa Harding, Mayor of Ipswich. Other community leaders who were present were Ms. Christine Castley, CEO Multiculture Australia, Ms Liz

Gordon, CEO QPASTT, and Ms. Preeti Suraj, Mr. Pallani Thevar, Mr. Ashutosh Misra, from the Indian Community. The diginitaries and the distinguished VIP guests participated in a Shobha Yatra, A Parade celebrating the Bengali New Year. All Distinguished guests led the Parade.

Apart from the Parade, there was a meet and greet arranged with all the local community businesses, who had their stalls put up for the event. Mostly there were food stalls showcasing the Bengali and Bangladeshi food, however, there were also jewelry shop, saree shop, literature books shop which caught attention of many attendees.

The event also showcased Bengali Culture through the performances by young and old artists. Young students recited songs in bengali language and performed the traditional bengali dances. There were bollywood dances as well which caught the eye

of the Logan Mayor who sportingly went up on stage to shake a leg with the performers. It was amazing to see all distinguished guests mix and mingle with the community.

The Laser show was amazing and well received by everyone. The highlight of the event was the performance by Tanzir Chowdhury Tuhin, DJ Rough Sun Rafsan Nissan and Still BUFFERING team.

This Boisakhi Mela was a truly well organised event.

Kudos to the organisers The EC member’s Dr Kushal Ahmed - President M Mahmudul Hasan - vice president Nasir Chowdhury - General Secretary Dr. Emtiaz Ahmed, Sports Secretary Dr Tanzima Azad - Cultural Secretary Fardeen Rashid - IT and Communications Secretary and volunteers namely Munir Rahman, and J D for their hospitality and taking care of all the guests present.

Shubho Naboborsho, A very Happy New Year to all Bangladeshi and Bengali community members of Brisbane and Australia.

The inaugural Indian Traditional New Year Celebration on 27 April 2024 at Roma St Parklands

Brisbane, May 6 (MCCQ

Newsdesk, Press Release ICAQ)

Indian Council of Australia, Queensland Inc. (ICAQ) proudly executed its inaugural event to celebrate Indian Traditional New Year on 27 April 2024 at Roma St Parklands.

There have been several events to celebrate Indian festivities like Diwali, Holi, Onam etc. but there is no festival in Brisbane that celebrates Indian Traditional New Year for the multicultural community.

Various cultures observe their traditional or religious New Year’s Day according to their own customs, typically (though not invariably) because they use a lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar.

India, Nepal, and other south Asian countries also celebrate New Year on dates according to their own calendars that are different from the Gregorian calendar. Traditional new year is celebrated all over the world in different countries in different ways.

It provides opportunities for people of different origins to understand the culture of each other.

There are numerous days throughout the year celebrated as Hindu New Year’s Day in the different regions of India. The observance is determined by whether the lunar or solar calendar is being followed. Most widely followed Lunar calendar considers the month of Chaitra (corresponding to March-April) as the first month of the year, so the new year is celebrated on the first day of this month.

The traditional new year is

known by different names in different regions or states in India. It is known as Chaitra Navaratri, Vaisakhi, Gudhi Padwa, Ugadi, Yugadi, Puthandu, Vishu, NabBarsha, Navreh, Bihu, Cheti Chand, Mesha Sankranti, and Sajibu Cheiraoba.

Traditional new year celebrations provide an opportunity for leaders from the different Indian communities and organizations to meet with each other and with representatives of the different tiers of government and senior government officials to strengthen mutual ties. It also provides opportunities to meet Australians with Indian origin people.

The inaugural event executed by the ICAQ on 27 April 2024, brought multicultural community leaders together along with elected representatives from all levels of Government and representatives from various Government departments.

The event observed vibrant and colorful display of Indian culture underlying the importance of traditional new year. Through various speeches all dignitaries highlighted the importance of Indian Traditional New Year as well as how such festivities can bring multicultural communities together by sharing cultures and values.

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Hon Steven Miles MP, Premier of Queensland, and Cr. Fiona Cunningham Councillor for Coorparoo Ward sent a message to the ICAQ congratulating for hosting the inaugural event and wishing Indian community

happy celebrations.

To commence the event, Welcome to Country and Didgeridoo performance was presented by Uncle Billy Cummings.

ICAQ President Mr. Parminder Singh, ICAQ Patron Mr. Ashish Katta, and ICAQ Advisor Mrs. Pinky Singh welcomed everyone and highlighted various ICAQ initiatives as well as the values ICAQ stands by.

Dignitaries who attended the event are:

Mrs. Neetu Bhagotia, Consul General of India in Brisbane

The Hon. Milton Dick MP, Member for Oxley Queensland & Federal Speaker

Hon Charis Mullen, Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Mr. John-Paul Langbroek MP, Representing Mr. David Crisafulli MP, Qld leader of opposition

Hon Bart Mellish, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services

Cr Vicky Howard, Central Ward, Representing the Brisbane City Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner

Mayor Teresa Harding, Ipswich City,Mayor Jos Mitchell, Redland City,

Mayor John Raven, Logan City, Cr. Trina Massey, Councillor The Gabba Ward, Wayne Briscoe Executive Director, Multicultural Affairs

Heath Goldfinch, COO at Multicultural Australia Inspector Mat Ryan, Patrol Group Inspector, Inner West Patrol Group, North Brisbane District

Dr. Anil Dalsania

Dr. Ram Mohan

Mr. Gati Krushna Mishra

Mr. Sushil Kumar Goel

ICAQ cannot express enough gratitude for the overwhelming response towards the community members for supporting the event.

ICAQ is thankful to all Cultural Performance teams for their time and devotion.

Mrs. Sudha Manian Yatra

Music,

Art of Living Yoga Dance, Rich Virsa Punjabi Folk Dance, Noopur Dance Studio, Swetha Bhupathi, ORIOZ Community for traditional and Sambalpuri dance, Mr. Rohit Vombathkere SUR420, and Mr. Mihir Brahme, Maharashtrian Shivan Dhol Tasha Group. Roma St Parklands have provided venue management and best services to make the event a big success.

Thank you, Namaste Foodies, Aarav Ice Cream, Art of Living, 1300 Medics for putting up their stalls.

Any successful event is not possible without team effort. We are thankful to the ICAQ Treasurer Mr. Srikar Reddy, Vice President Mr. Sambit Das, Vice President Dr. Venkat Pulla, and all Volunteers for assisting us. The last but not least the event MC Mrs. Swati Das had a wonderful introduction of all dignitaries and has managed the ICAQ presentation in a most professional manner.

ICAQ Secretary Mr. Ganesh Deshpande stated in his vote of thanks that, the roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ICAQ would like to live by our commitments and objectives towards the Indian Diaspora, grow stronger by co-creation and by adapting the changing environment.

ICAQ is highly energized and motivated with the overwhelming response and looking forward to delivering many more programs in future to better serve our multicultural community.

Article prepared by ICAQ Secretary Mr. Ganesh Deshpande.

Tim may be losing his eyesight, but he is embracing every opportunity along the way

Brisbane, May 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Press Release, from Carers Queensland)

For 21-year-old Logan local Tim, outdoor sports and helping others have always been his two great passions. From wakeboarding to kayaking and motorbike riding, Tim is keen to give anything a go at least once. At the age of 15, Tim was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and macular degeneration. While RP is usually a genetic disorder, that’s not the case for Tim.

“The retinitis pigmentosa starts from the outside and works its way in, as well as on the night vision,” Tim said. Macular degeneration starts from the inside and works its way out.”

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) partner in the community Carers

Queensland supported Tim to access the Scheme and find supports.

Tim’s plan supports him to engage with his community and to buy consumables such as canes and adaptive medical equipment.

“I’m getting primarily support work. So, someone to support me getting out and about in the community and accompany me in the gym, where I’m trying to maintain my levels of fitness and mobility,” Tim said.

“This allows me to have a bit more time throughout the day to go out and do the things I

enjoy.

“If I didn’t have the NDIS, I would never have gotten the opportunity to do the Riding Blind Project (a motorcycle riding program for people who are blind or have low vision). Blind golf, blind bowls, the table tennis, they’re all on during the weekdays. I wouldn’t have the support to be able to get there.”

Tim also remains an active member of the State Emergency Service (SES), having joined the Emergency Service Cadet program from the age of 12.

During this program, Tim did fire training and gained first aid skills. He continues to be an active SES member, going out on jobs for temporary repairs after storm damage.

“It feels quite good to be able to contribute back and get out and participate in the community, because I’m normally very limited in what I can do,” Tim said.

Around age 14, Tim took part in the PCYC state youth leadership program, successfully completing all 3 levels. This experience allowed him to become a youth coach. When he’s not spending his time days kayaking, Tim enjoys water sports, lawn bowls, rollerblading, hiking, climbing and abseiling.

Tim also volunteers at the Blind Vision Impaired

Association each week.

“I help out quite a few people with technology down at the club,” Tim said. Most of our members are older, 60, 70, 80, 90.”

“I’m teaching them how to use their technology and accessing that. I’ve taken them out to the technology places to go and help them find the appropriate technology that’s going to make a difference for them.

“So, microwaves that can be made easily accessible or ovens or air fryers.”

Tim says the volunteering has helped him develop his skillset, expand his social network by getting out in the community and maintaining that sense of purpose, whilst helping others along the way. He also recognises the importance of staying up to date with the latest in trends, to prepare himself for the future.

“Today’s technology is getting really good with optical character recognition and other different programs,” Tim said.

“I am teaching myself as many different tips and tricks for when that next jump is in my sight. I want to be able to be still quite independent, so it doesn’t put as much of a backstep as to what I can do.”

Tim films himself during outdoor sports adventures

Good News in South Brisbane!

and shares the videos on his YouTube channel (Visually Impaired Adventures with Tim).

His goal is to provide explanations and guidance on how other people with disabilities can take part in these activities.

One of Tim’s notable videos covers blind golf, where he demonstrates how people with visual impairments can play the sport. He discusses the role of support workers in assisting players to select the right clubs and aim accurately, making the game accessible to most.

Through his videos, Tim aims to raise awareness about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

He emphasises that while people with disability may require adjustments, most activities are achievable for people of all abilities. Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au, or sign up to our LAC Connect app here.

Men’s Shed Provides Inclusion for People with Autism

Brisbane, May 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Press Release, Carers Queensland)

As part of its Inclusive Volunteering project, Carers Queensland has been partnering with various organizations, including Men’s Sheds, to promote inclusivity and diversity in the volunteering sector. Men’s Sheds is a community-based organization that seeks to improve the mental health and well-being of men through social interaction and practical activities.

A shed that’s been making waves in the community through their inclusive practices and spaces for people with autism, is the South Brisbane Men’s Shed, led by President Phil Sharpe. What started as a small group of fathers coming together to support each other and their children on the spectrum,

has now grown into a thriving community of diverse members.

“Once we incorporated with the inauguration of the executive committee, the committee decided to have a role within the committee known as F.A.C.T. (Fathers of Autistic Children Together).

So that’s how the Men’s Shed was started, the beginnings of it,” Phil said.

The group then expanded to include not just fathers and grandfathers, but also other supporters of children with autism. A logo was developed with colours chosen over a spectrum to reflect the diverse range of individuals on the spectrum. This inclusive mindset is evident in their decision to open the shed to both male and female members.

As Sharpe notes, “We’ve always had female members, but they’re now full members. And I’m thinking that as we evolve as a group, that might be a whole new journey we can go on in terms of autism particularly, or people with difference,” Phil added.

But it’s not just about welcoming diverse members

into the shed, it’s also about creating a safe and supportive environment for them to work in.

As Sharpe puts it, “We just treat everybody like everybody else. And that’s not your disabled well… we do take care, though. We’re vigilant.”

The men’s shed has implemented an induction process for those who wish to work in the woodwork room, and even provide support workers for those who may need assistance. However, they also welcome individuals with disabilities to come without a support worker and are able to adapt their interactions to accommodate their needs.

Sharpe believes that this mindset of inclusion should be adopted by all men’s sheds.

“I think our sheds need to, and I’m certain all sheds do that, because we encourage all of us senior aged gentlemen to come in and do those sorts of things. But we need to look further. We need to look further at including all,” he said.

In addition to the benefits for individuals with disability, programs like these also enrich the experience of the

shed’s current members. It allows for a diverse range of perspectives and talents to be shared, creating a more vibrant and inclusive community.

“We currently have a lovely 40 plus year-old man with Downs Syndrome who comes in and plays piano accordion in the music group, and he’s blind and he has the best time. And it is just a wonderful experience,” Phil said.

“But you know who the winners are? We, the old men, are the winners,” Phil concludes.

“Many, many people in our group have probably never experienced people with disability on a regular ongoing basis. This man brings such joy to his life and our music playing that it’s just a wonderful experience. It’s he’s really enjoying it. And we are, too,” Phil said.

The work done by the South Brisbane Men’s Shed is truly commendable and serves as a shining example of creating inclusive spaces for people with autism. Not only do they provide a sense of community and support for individuals and families living with

autism, but they also promote awareness and understanding among their members. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, as the South Brisbane Men’s Shed was awarded the Community Group of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Community Achievement Awards. This recognition further solidifies their impact and serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit in creating inclusive spaces for all.

By working with Men’s Sheds, Carers Queensland aims to create more inclusive volunteering opportunities for individuals of all abilities. We can all learn from the South Brisbane Men’s Shed and work towards a more inclusive and accepting society.

For more information about our Inclusive Volunteering programs, visit our website, carersqld.com.au. Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS. If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community. You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au, or sign up to our LAC Connect app here

The South Asian Genes and Health in Australia (SAGHA) study

Interested in the role of genes on heart health?

Want to help improve healthcare for future generations of South Asians in Australia?

Register your interest to participate in the SAGHA Study.

ELIGIBILITY:

South Asians make up ~25% of world's population but less than 2% of genetic study participants

Greater South Asian representation in research will help improve healthcare for future generations of Australian South Asians

South Asian ancestry (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and/or Sri Lankan heritage)

Living in QLD

Over the age of 18

Australian Permanent Residents or Citizens

Contact the research team at sagha@.uq.edu.au or Dr Sonia Shah (Project Lead) at sonia.shah@imb.uq.edu.au if you have any questions.

Tainan 400 - Taiwan and Australia Art Exchange Exhibition: A Celebration of Cross-Cultural Art Exchange

Brisbane, May 28 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Press Release by Andrea Moser)

This year’s Tainan and Australian Art Exchange exhibition marks a significant milestone—the 400th anniversary of the founding of Tainan, Taiwan. Held at the Tainan Public Hall within the Wuyuan Cultural Centre, the exhibition showcases over 70 works by 16 renowned artists from Australia, Japan, Germany, Norway, Chile, Poland, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The media of the works on display are incredibly diverse, reflecting the artists’ innovative approaches and willingness to experiment. From traditional materials such as oil, acrylic, and watercolour to contemporary mediums like coloured ink, glue, found objects, and wax, the exhibition celebrates the fusion of tradition and modernity.

The exhibition is thoughtfully curated by Melody Chen, the Life Honorary President of the World Arts and Multi-Culture

Inc. (WAMCI), in collaboration with the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Tainan City Government. Through this event, the rich artistic heritage of both Australia and Taiwan converges, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s creative expressions. It serves as a bridge that connects the two regions, transcending geographical boundaries. For artists, the exhibition provides a unique platform to showcase their work and engage with diverse audiences. By participating in cross-cultural dialogues, they contribute to a global narrative that extends beyond mere artistic techniques.

Australian artist Andrea Moser eloquently states, “The exchange of ideas, philosophies, and worldviews enhances interconnectedness. Through art, we create a more empathetic and interconnected world.”

The cultural fusion resulting from these exchanges is a testament to the power of art. As our global society becomes increasingly diverse and interconnected, exhibitions like this one foster understanding and unity. We celebrate the shared vision of artists from different backgrounds, united by their passion for creativity and their desire to build bridges across cultures.

We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Taiwanese Government for their financial support. Additionally, we appreciate the endorsement from the Premier of Queensland, and the encouragement from Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

Dragon Boat Festival in Brisbane was a huge multicultural event shocasing the Cultural performances and cuisines

Brisbane, June 2 (MCCQ Newsdesk) was changed to demonstrations due to lake algae conditions.

The 2024 Parkinson Multicultural and Dragon Boat Festival at Forest Lake kicked of today. The Hakka Association of Queensland President, Jackie Chiang, along with all the volunteers of the organising put up such a memorable multicultural event. Lord Mayor Adrian Shrinner, Hon. Speaker of house Minister Milton Dick MP, Senator Paul Scarr, Director General of Taipei economic and cultural Office, Mr. William Fan were among the dignitories that were present at the festival. It was a day full of multicultural performances, dragon boat demonstrations, and vareity of food & drink Stalls. The boat racing competition this year

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated across the globe, namely China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Taiwan as well as the western world; US, Canada and UK. It is always a spectacular event.

Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional chinese holiday which usually falls during the late May or early June.

The event organisers often hold dragon boat races and sticky rice dumpling called Zongzi eating competitions.

The significance of this festival is to receive good luck through praying and taking respite from the scorching summer heat by splashing in the water

Taiwanese Community in Brisbane Advocates for WHO Inclusion

Brisbane, May 30 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

On the 25th of May, the Taiwanese community in Brisbane took a significant stride in advocating for Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Organization (WHO) by participating in the “Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO” advocacy event organised by the Taiwan Friendship Association Queensland.

The event, held at King George Square in Brisbane, served as a platform to support Taiwan’s rightful place in the global health network, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite being home to 23.5 million global citizens, Taiwan continues to be excluded from the WHO, putting the health and human rights of its people at risk.

However in the recent UN assembly where many countries supported Taiwan. Taiwan will continue to work closely with allied countries and like-minded partners, the MOFA said, calling on the WHO to accept Taiwan’s participation as an observer to fulfill the organization’s goal of “Health for all, All for Health.”

Taipei Econmic Trade and Cultural Association Director General Mr. William Fan was present at the event, he demonstrated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to advocating for multiculturalism and diversity.

The Taiwanese community in Queensland resonated strongly, emphasising the importance of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global health initiatives.

Health is a fundamental human right, and Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO is a problem. UN and WHO should not waver from its mission to promoting inclusivity and ensuring that all voices are heard in matters of global health governance.

As an International organisation WHO is committed to advocating for the rights and representation of all communities, including the Taiwanese community. WHO must not waver from its mission of inclusive and equitable society where every individual’s rights are respected and protected.

The F-word rules at this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival

Brisbane, May 28

Brisbane Writers Festival artistic director Jackie Ryan is putting “festive” back into this year’s event

(MCCQ Newsdesk, written by Phil Brown, First published in InReview)

Jackie Ryan has been liberally using the F-word to describe this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival, which is tantalisingly near.

BWF runs May 30 to June 2 –and excitement is building. As for Ryan’s use of the F-word, the BWF artistic director says that F word is “festive”.

“As with last year, we’re keen to put the ‘festive’ back in Festival,” she states in the BWF program publication.

“That means different things to different people. You want to hear about dragons? We’ve got your dragons. Mysteries? Check. Culture, sex, soccer, diplomacy, democracy, disability, translation, diversity, poetry, religion, art, comedy, crime, science, sickness …”

The list doesn’t end there and we think this year’s BWF offers an embarrassment of riches.

It’s the liveliest program we’ve seen for some years and Ryan seems to have an uncanny knack of being all things to all people. That’s not easy but she seems to

have done it. More than 60 Brisbane authors will feature alongside a star-studded lineup of national and international guests, with most events held in the festival hub at the State Library of Queensland in the South Bank Cultural Precinct.

Australian headline authors include Melissa Lucashenko, Julia Baird, Kate Ceberano, Chris Hammer and Trent Dalton, while international highlights include Booker Prize-shortlisted author Paul Murray, bestselling crime writer Michael Connelly, fantasy legend Naomi Novik, English novelist and screenwriter Louise Doughty (a guest speaker at the Marion Taylor gala, a much-anticipated highlight) and superstar fantasy author Samantha Shannon.

This year BWF is joined by guest curators Melanie Saward (Aboriginal First Nations) and Lenora Thaker (Torres Strait Islander First Nations), along with authors from Sing Lit Station, a platform for dynamic voices in contemporary Singaporean letters.

“Our slogan is ‘Have we got a story for you’,” Ryan says. “We’re serving up a veritable buffet of writers and subject interests in 2024 and have set the conversational table with fine panel and chairing

combinations for audiences to feast on. It’s an intellectual all-you-can-eat.”

Michael Connelly makes his BWF debut to discuss his latest release, Resurrection Walk, and the exploits of his two most enduring characters, Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller.

He also lends insight to the International Crime panel alongside crime fiction luminaries Louise Doughty and Dann McDorman, and a panel with local stars Bryan Brown and Dinuka McKenzie.

Australia’s traditional storytellers share culture and spark connections with panels and conversations featuring First Nations authors including Daniel Browning, Jackie Huggins, Melissa Lucashenko and Anita Heiss.

Podcast and art history sensation Katy Hessel talks about the overlooked women in art history and VAULT magazine editor Alison Kubler joins a panel on feminist progress with Suzie Miller, Amy Remeikis and Balli Kaur Jaswa.

Naomi Novik makes her first appearance in more than 10 years as she discusses her latest work, the Scholomance trilogy, a magical school story resplendent with monsters and myth.

Other international authors include brilliantly contrarian novelist and screenwriter Lexi Freiman discussing his work, The Book of Ayn, crime writer Jake Adelstein for The Last Yakuza and current Women’s Prize long lister Sarah Ogilvie for The Dictionary People.

We’ve got plenty of Queensland favourites, too. Get in quick for locals including Trent Dalton, William McInnes, Anna McGahan, Samuel Wagan-Watson, Matthew Condon, Hedley Thomas, Laura Jean McKay, Simon Cleary and Clare Christian.

I’m particularly looking forward to hearing from Ogilvie, who is swapping the spires of Oxford for her hometown of Brisbane. Ogilvie, a lexicographer who lectures at the University of Oxford, in the UK, is the author of The Dictionary People (Chatto & Windus, $35), the fascinating story of the Oxford English Dictionary – of the people who edited it and, importantly, the ordinary folk who contributed to its creation.

Her book has had rave reviews globally and she is grateful for that after working on it for eight years. She’s also thrilled to be coming home.

“I haven’t been back to

Brisbane for 10 years,” she says. “And I miss it.”

Ogilvie went to Stuartholme School and later attended the University of Queensland. She is from a well-known Brisbane family but says she is “a bit different”. “I’m a bit of a black sheep, the nerd of the family,” she says.

She specialises in language, dictionaries and technology. As a lexicographer she has been an editor at the Oxford English Dictionary and was chief editor of Oxford Dictionaries in Australia. As a technologist she has worked in Silicon Valley at Amazon’s innovation lab where she was part of the team that developed the Kindle.

After graduating from UQ she took her doctorate in linguistics at the University of Oxford and has taught at Cambridge and at Stanford University in the US.

Our tip is that she will be one of the festival favourites this year. Her Thursday evening talk is one of the hottest tickets in town.

bwf.org.au

https://inreview.com.au/430035

The Dictionary People, at this year’s Brisbane Writers Festival.

OPS Celebrates its inaugural program “Get Prepared” Graduates

Brisbane, May 31 (MCCQ Newsdesk)

Queensland Police recently launched their get prepared program for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community interested in public safety. It is a six weeks initiative jointly with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Corrective Services (QCS), and Multicultural Australia. The purpose is to boost knowledge, skills and confidence of the CALD community.

This may their first batch graduated. It was a moment of pride for many to see their loved ones achieve their desires and receive their first batch of recruitment in the QPS.

Commissioner Steve Gollschewski attended the Get Prepared Graduation ceremony, where he congratulated the inaugural graduating cohort.

“Your strong focus and dedication to learning demonstrates attributes the QPS seeks within our members,”

said the Commissioner.

“We value the varying perspectives, diverse backgrounds, and unique skillsets individuals can bring to the organisation.”

All the graduates had praise for the get prepared program. They also thanked and expressed their gratitude to the mentors, facilitators who helped them through the program and prepared them for the real world. They said they defitiely are now confident and competent to take the next step in their career towards public safety.

13 graduates were honored with their certificates of graduation from the inaugural pilot program for the multicultural community.

Photo: Author Sarah Ogilvie is returning home to Brisbane to talk about her acclaimed book,

Immigrant Women Small Business owner support OUR TAKE

Being economically self-sufficient is the first thing everyone is struggling with, be it an employee or the employer. In the pyramid of life, money and financial stability are the top priority when you are young. Getting the right employment, staying employed, and being successful is often difficult to achieve. However, if you find that perfect match, it is a wonderful place to be. Many immigrant men and women struggle to get that perfect employment. This has led immigrants to build up entrepreneurial skills and end up doing their own business instead of being employed by another company or corporate business.

But doing business in a country that is not your country of origin often becomes challenging. It starts with knowing the language of business. It is one thing to know the English language of Australia, but it is another to know the business language of Australia. When migrant women think of doing or starting their small business, be it a catering business or jewelry or art, you need the know-how to communicate your product and spread the word. If you don’t know this language of business communication, your business may not flourish beyond your own community. This may require the small business owner to undergo a short training course or mentoring partnership with an Australian counterpart to channel the business in the right direction.

Hence, the government through their initiatives must implement the support for training women especially for honing the skills to effectively communicate and formulate the business plan, communicate and market their product to their customers and also know the legalities, the laws that are necessary to be followed for an ethical business practice. All these aspects may seem overwhelming for women to handle all by themselves. Hence, programs that are implemented to help women who need the know-how must be made easily available for immigrant women to access and find out.

Finances are always a major crunch when you start a small business. Seed money and grants become very important for lifting the business to a level where it can then survive on its own. Small business grants are a boon and must be made available to all

Queensland Small Business Month culminates with conference in Cairns

Brisbane, March 27, 2024

Ministerial Press Release

women no matter what their businesses statuses are.

What I have noticed over the period of time is that the small business grants that are available do not cater to the immigrant businesswoman’s need, who is a sole trader. The grants also have a high turnover eligibility limit which makes the sole trader immigrant women who is starting out ineligible for the grants. Some may not be GST registered hence they become ineligible to apply for grants.

Many Immigrant women Artists, who sell their artwork often get no support either from the government or any other financial body to keep creating and building their art. The sector is so competitive that the immigrant women with her oriental art never gets the chance to be successful. Art is often difficult to sell. Moreover, to participate in the various trade shows and exhibitions there are a lot of restrictions and paperwork involved. Hence, it becomes extremely difficult to sustain and keep creating the body of work that is necessary. Many immigrant women of Indian backgrounds have thus left their craft because it is not feasible to sustain the art making and selling.

Catering business and selling groceries is also a favorite venture for immigrant women. It is extremely time-consuming and hard work, however, it is something that can be done from home. Hence, a lot of women have taken up catering businesses. However, support is needed to buy the right kind of equipment to create the food products. Many don’t have the capacity to buy commercial equipment that makes it easy to make bulk items. Since the product is perishable there is a lot of wastage which results in a no income surplus to channel it back into the business. Another thing observed is that for a catering small business, taking too many orders becomes difficult as fulfilling those without the commercial kitchen facilities makes it difficult to deliver. Hence, women often restrict and limit their per day orders which makes it harder to make profits that will help business grow.

Textile, clothes and fashion is also a favorite with immigrant businesswomen. Buying and selling clothes becomes lucrative if they are bought and sold locally. However, immigrant women often

As Queensland Small Business Month ends, the new Miles Government supported 4th annual Small Business Friendly Program conference and inaugural awards ceremony was held in Cairns with winners from across the state taking home the silverware.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum officially opened the conference and presented the awards to the Member of the Year - City of Moreton Bay, Regional Member of the Year - Balonne Shire Council, and Innovator of the YearIpswich City Council.

The Small Business Friendly Program is a community of 49 like-minded organisations championed by the Queensland Small Business Commissioner to work together to ensure their small business community is flourishing.

By signing the Small Business Friendly Charter, councils commit to creating operating environments that help their small business communities to grow and thrive.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum says:

“Small businesses are vital to Queensland’s economic wellbeing, contributing more than $117 billion each year and fueling the cycle of growth by providing employment for over one million Queenslanders.

“The new Miles Government is committed to supporting our small business sector and this is reflected in the new $250 million Queensland Small Business Strategy 2024-27 to help power small businesses to grow and thrive.

“The inaugural Small Business Friendly Awards are another important initiative to recognise the role that local councils play in supporting their local business communities.

“Congratulations to all the winners. As the Member for Bundamba, I’m particularly proud to see the Ipswich City Council in this year’s winner’s circle as part of Queensland Small Business Month.”

Mayor Peter Flannery, City of Moreton Bay acknowledged:

“This win recognises Council’s strong commitment to supporting small business and the collaboration involved in building a cohesive and productive local business community.

“I’m incredibly proud of Council’s hard work in supporting such a strong local business community. Small businesses are core to our community, and we want them to thrive.

“We’ll continue to work closely, with our business community, to grow the economy in City of Moreton Bay.

Mayor Samantha O’Toole, Balonne Shire says:

“We are so thrilled to receive the Regional Member of the Year Award for 2024 at the Small Business Friendly Awards.

“As a Council, we aim to consistently collaborate with our local business community to ensure that Balonne is a great place to do business.

“In receiving this Award, we also really need to acknowledge the great work our local businesses do for our community.

“This is further recognition of how our Shire is a great place to set-up and do business with the full support of your local Council.”

Mayor Teresa Harding, Ipswich City Council assures:

“As Queensland’s first small business friendly council, Ipswich City Council continues to explore new and innovate solutions to support our more than 12,000 small businesses.

“Council has worked in partnership with our small businesses to introduce new initiatives that encourage residents and visitors to shop, stay and spend in Ipswich. This includes our Queenslandfirst street patio program which offers local restaurants and cafes an additional and attractive outdoor dining space.

“Small businesses are a big deal for our city, and we are delighted to see Council recognised as the Innovator of the Year for our ongoing efforts to support and advance local businesses in Ipswich.”

Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb says:

“Queensland small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities from our remote towns to our metropolitan cities.

“As a community we cannot survive without small businesses, and they can’t thrive without vibrant communities, which is why the Small Business Friendly Program is so important.

“The conference and the workshops give members an opportunity to share their success stories and learn together. This is about supporting councils and chambers with economic development.” bring their materials from abroad, probably from their country of origin. This puts them in constant struggle with custom approvals for their products to be released. There are often delays and if the product is damaged it becomes extremely difficult to return the product and get a replacement. This adds to the costs of overheads and in the long run, it is frustrating.

Hence if there is an official business consulting body that can help immigrant women, to seek help immediately especially in situations that are beyond their control, it will be a fruitful step forward to help them grow and sustain their businesses..

Article written by Amrita

Deshpande

(Editor. MCCQ and New Media Artist)

Brisbane, May 27, 2024

Contact: secretary@mccq.org.au for advertising in the

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Critical site to become state’s second special wildlife reserve

Brisbane, June 1 (Ministerial Media Statements QLD, Press Release)

The Miles Government has reached agreement with Bush Heritage Australia (BHA) and Bidjara Traditional Owners to safeguard a key Lake Eyre Basin property by declaring it as a special wildlife reserve.

Edgbaston Reserve, an around 8,000-hectare property north-east of Longreach, is owned by BHA and is home to the most significant natural springs for global biodiversity in the entire Great Artesian Basin and one of the most important in the world.

It will be the second special wildlife reserve to be established in Queensland, meaning the environmentally-significant property will be safeguarded against commercial activity under Queensland law for future generations.

The reserve provides critical habitat for 26 plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world, including one of Australia’s smallest and most threatened freshwater fish, the critically endangered red-finned blue-eye.

Edgbaston has also been the cornerstone of many discoveries of new species including

Government prioritise the ongoing preservation of Edgbaston Reserve.

“Nature needs our protection now more than ever, and we’re holding high hopes for working with the Queensland government to also secure a number of other areas across Queensland.”

Bidjara Traditional Owner, Trevor Robinson says:

“Bidjara are supportive of the protection of Edgbaston Reserve as a Special Wildlife Reserve.

“Protecting Country from the threats of mining is important for protecting our cultural heritage.”

15 types of plants and the yet-to-be-described Edgbaston shrimp and amphipod.

Although already declared a nature refuge in 2014, BHA expressed interest to the Queensland Government to enhance the level of protection to the estate by declaring it a special wildlife reserve.

Special wildlife reserves are established on private land to protect areas with exceptional natural and cultural resources and values.

They receive legal protection, like national parks, from incompatible land uses including commercial timber harvesting, commercial grazing, and petroleum and mineral resource extraction.

Edgbaston’s formal declaration as a special wildlife reserve is scheduled to take place later in 2024.

Its establishment under this category of protected area follows the Queensland Government’s landmark establishment of Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve in 2020, which was the first protected area of this kind for private land in Australia.

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne Linard advocates for the efforts :

“The Miles Government leads the nation when it comes to identifying and safeguarding areas of environmental significance, such as Edgbaston

Reserve.

“We are the only state in Australia to provide national park-level protections on private land through the special wildlife reserve class of protected area.

“We established Australia’s first specialist wildlife reserve four years ago, and continue our commitment to work with private landholders, organisations and local governments to increase and enhance the state’s already impressive list of protected areas.

“I am delighted to announce this agreement to enhance the protections for Edgbaston Reserve, which will ensure this estate will remain a site of international environmental significance well into the future.

“The Miles Government’s partnerships with private landholders complements our record $262.5 million investment into expanding and managing Queensland’s national parks and other public protected areas.

“Declaring Edgbaston

Reserve a special wildlife reserve also underlines our commitment to protecting the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin.

“One of Steven Miles’ first acts as Premier was to announce enhanced protections for the rivers and floodplains of the basin, which is home to one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems in the world.

Bush Heritage Australia Chief Executive Officer, Rachel Lowry warns of the loss of habitat:

“Australia is facing devastating rates of habitat loss and extinctions so legislation like this is a game-changer for the protection of critically endangered species in Queensland.

“Bush Heritage Australia is committed to preserving the environmentally critical habitat found here at Edgbaston Reserve, which is now legally protected from harmful activities for decades to come.

“As one of the most significant sites for global biodiversity in the world, we are glad to see the Queensland

Upgrades complete for iconic Chance Bay camping area on Whitsunday Island

Brisbane, May 30 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation Press Release)

The Queensland Government has finalised $180,000 worth of upgrades to the Chance Bay camping area in the internationally-recognised Whitsunday Islands National Park.

The Chance Bay camping area is a popular attraction for visitors looking to immerse themselves in the iconic coastal landscape and surrounding reef, with approximately 360 campers staying on site every year.

Hosting up to 12 campers at a time, its white sandy beach, fringing coral reef and nearby walking track to Whitehaven Beach offers visitors plenty to see and enjoy.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) engaged with contractors Dirtscapes Outdoor Developments who utilised local barge operators, machinery hire and material suppliers to upgrade and enhance key features of the campground to improve visitor access and comfort.

The QPWS worked closely with Ngaro People representatives to provide a Cultural Heritage Induction to contractors and supervise work on the ground to ensure the area’s important cultural heritage was not impacted by the project.

The upgrades include the installation of new picnic tables and toilet facilities, as well as the construction of sand ladders along the beach access track.

QPWS has also defined four camp sites for single and multi-person tents and updated signage.

Replacement amenities provide an improved waste management system to address the risk of impacts to the surrounding environment.

QPWS also oversaw the planting of 100 native trees including casuarina, acacia, pandanus and silver bush throughout cleared and cyclone-damaged areas.

The project was jointly funded by the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Reef Joint Field Management program.

Principal Ranger Dave Orgill said the upgrades safeguarded the surrounding key environmental areas while also enhancing camper experience.

“The upgrades to the popular Chance Bay camping area not only provide a more comfortable experience for visitors, but also improve environmental protection for the surrounding natural areas, which is critical in ensuring sustainable tourism well into the future,” Dave said.

“By offering state-of-theart facilities across our iconic national parks, we are fostering the connection between visitors and our pristine protected areas while safeguarding these important sites.

“We encourage people to take the opportunity over the upcoming school holidays to get out and enjoy the breathtaking sights and experiences on offer across the Whitsunday national park islands.”

Cattle Creek crocodile captured in Ingham

Brisbane, May 30 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation Press Release)

A crocodile that lunged at a fisherman on the bank of Cattle Creek, near Ingham was captured in a baited trap on Friday 24 May 2024.

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation set the trap near the Bruce Highway bridge over Cattle Creek, after the 3.6-metre crocodile lunged twice at the fisherman on 18 April 2024.

Wildlife Officer Ella Meeve said the crocodile will be temporarily housed in the department’s Garners beach holding facility while awaiting placement at a crocodile farm or zoo.

“People in Ingham know they are living in Croc Country, and they should expect crocodiles in all local waterways,” Ms Meeve said.

“Crocodiles can remain under underwater for long periods without being seen, waiting to ambush their prey.

“The absence of warning signs does not mean an absence of crocodiles and everyone in Croc Country should be Crocwise by making sensible choices around the water.

“The removal of this animal does not mean there are no longer any crocodiles in Cattle Creek, and fishers are advised to stand well back from the water or behind a barrier such as an esky, while fishing.

“People are responsible for their own safety in Croc Country and being complacent around the water can lead to dangerous situations.

“All crocodile sightings should be reported to the department in a timely manner, as they help give wildlife officers a location and information about the animal’s behaviour.

“Crocodile sightings can be reported via the QWildlife app, via the DESI website or by calling 1300 130 372. Wildlife officers investigate every sighting report.

“Removing estuarine crocodiles from the wild is a last resort, but those that pose a threat to human safety are targeted for removal under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.”

Queenslanders are encouraged to have their say on the new draft Queensland Crocodile Management Plan by completing this survey.

Feedback is encouraged on new crocodile zones and

maps, how crocodiles are managed and the process for removing crocodiles from the wild. Consultation on the draft plan closes on 5 June 2024.

Crocwise tips for people in Croc Country:

• Expect crocodiles in ALL northern and far northern Queensland waterways even if there is no warning sign

• Obey all warning signs –they are there to keep you safe

• Be aware crocs also swim in the ocean and be extra cautious around water at night

• Stay well away from croc traps – that includes fishing and boating

• The smaller the vessel the greater the risk, so avoid using canoes and kayaks

• Stand back from the water’s edge when fishing and don’t wade in to retrieve a lure

• Camp well back from the water

• Never leave food, fish scraps or bait near the water, at camp sites or at boat ramps

• Never provoke, harass or feed crocs

• Always supervise children near the water and keep pets on a lead.

View further information on being Crocwise.

The upgraded camping area is more environmentally-friendly while providing an enhanced experience for visitors.

Check out the Brisbane Maratha Warriors Sport Club’s events

Brisbane, May 29 (MCCQ Newsdesk, Press Release)

The Brisbane Maratha Warriors Sport Club, led by President Harry Sathe, Secretary Varun Bhagat and Treasurer Ricky Kumar warmly invites individuals who are passionate about cricket and badminton to join our vibrant community.

Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting, there’s a place for you in our club.

We participate in prestigious tournaments like QSDCA, where we proudly won the 2023 20/20 championship, as well as Warehouse and other social cricket events.

In addition to competitive play, we organize social tournaments for both cricket and badminton, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and community engagement. We also provide training for junior cricket enthusiasts,

Upcoming Events to look for are:

June Kids Training Program

July BMW Badminton Tournament

August BMW Cricket Sixes

September Annual Awards night

nurturing the next generation of players.

Beyond sports, we encourage our members to contribute to our various club initiatives, helping to promote the rich cultural heritage of Maharashtra and support local community projects.

Join us in celebrating the spirit of cricket, badminton, and cultural vibrancy with the Brisbane Maratha Warriors Club!

Brisbane witnessed a legend performing on stage- Kumar Shanu Live at the Sleeman

Brisbane, May 6 (MCCQ News Desk by Amrita Deshpande)

Truly the Lord of Melodies Mr. Kumar Shanu a legendary singer known for the bollywood genre, swept the entire sports complex with his mesmerising songs.

Indian Playback singer Mr. Kedarnath Bhattacharya, Alias Kumar Sanu, is known for his hindi film songs. However off late he also has sung in many other languages such as his native language Bengali, as well as Marathi, Nepali, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Manipuri, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Punjabi, Odia, Chhattisgarhi, Urdu, Pali, and English. He is famous not only in India with his hindi songs but also in West Bengal and Bangladesh with his bengali

Sports Complex

numbers. He has received many filmfare awards for his songs and has set a record for winning five consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer from 1991 to 1995. In 1993, he registered the Guinness Book of world record for his daring feat of recording the maximum number of songs in a single day. He sang 28 songs in a day. He says, “I just called all the directors and told them to come to the studio and get their song recorded on that day.” He has been awarded the Padma Shri, the highest honor for his work in Bollywood Cinema by government of India.

His first break was in 1990 with Nadeem Shravan, who

gave him the chance to sing in the film Ashiqui. There after for 34 years he has been steadily singing hit songs and making the Indian public crave for more. This was also a case at the sleeman sports complex where the Indian diaspora tapped and danced, sang together and just went into a trance from which they just did not want to wake up.

Padma Shri, Kumar Shanu, sang snippits of songs so that he could accomodate as many songs as he could to satisfy the taste of the attendees present and fulfil the demand for their favorite songs. At the age of 66 years, he was jumping, dancing, and singing with such effortless ease, it was totally amazing to

see. His dedication towards his craft was evident from his perfomance.

The arena was packed and every soul was touched by Mr. Kumar Shanu’s songs. Rarely does one get to witness such legends singing live in front of you. Many fulfilled their dream of meeting their beloved singer, an idol, an

icon that they worshipped for so many years.

India News also had the previledge to interview him. Checkout the Australia India News Youtube channel for the entire interview at.

https://youtu.be/ jw9hNPCuTww?feature=shared

Curtain raiser! QPAC’s new theatre now to open early 2026

Brisbane, May 27 (MCCQ Newsdesk Written by Phil Brown first Published in InReview)

There was a bit of angst recently when it was revealed that the planned new theatre for QPAC won’t be ready to open until early 2026.

We were expecting an opening later in 2024 but Lendlease, the company building the new performing arts temple, cited major subcontractor insolvencies, inclement weather conditions, flooding, supply chain pressure and volatility as reasons for the delay.

These pressures have impacted all sorts of construction projects and are, unfortunately, to be expected in today’s world, so the breast beating over the delay was more political posturing than anything.

QPAC chief executive John Kotzas, who has championed the project, is reasonably relaxed about the delays, even if they are not ideal.

“We appreciate this latest update, which gives us clarity on the planning horizon for the new theatre, as it allows us to now move forward with our stakeholders to start planning programming for our fifth venue,” Kotzas says.

“We are already working hard to develop a remarkable opening celebration that will be announced closer to the time.”

Kotzas, though, won’t be at the helm when the new theatre opens as he has already announced he will be leaving QPAC in late 2024. But when it does open, Kotzas deserves the accolades for getting

the $175 million project up, although the cost may be higher than that by the time the project is completed.

Getting any project this size up and running today is difficult. There are those in the community who don’t want any progress and who complain about everything.

Meanwhile, here’s the good news from our glass-half-full department – the theatre is being built and it will open! And that’s something to celebrate.

It takes will and consensus to get these big arts projects up and plaudits to the state government for making it happen.

Our city’s Cultural Centre is Australia’s finest and that’s not mere parochialism. The late Barry Humphries, who

graced QPAC stages on many occasions, declared this when I interviewed him a few years ago.

At South Brisbane we have all our major cultural venues together – GOMA, The State Library of Queensland, The Queensland Museum, Queensland Art Gallery, QPAC, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and its studio, The Conservatorium Theatre, The South Bank Piazza.

This has all been developed under both sides of politics. Consider the fact that QPAC and the Queensland Art Gallery were both built by a conservative government.

Bipartisan support of the arts is ongoing and encouraging and we have had some excellent arts ministers on both

sides. We can be confident of continuing support for the arts, regardless of which party is in power. We’re counting on it.

Meanwhile, the new 1500seat capacity (and as-yetunnamed) theatre, designed by Blight Rayney + Snohetta, is going to be amazing.

It will have a rippled glass façade, transparent foyer spaces, a single-balcony auditorium delivering enhanced audience sight lines, provision for studio spaces under the auditorium and a significant First Nations artwork in the external entry forecourt by acclaimed Queensland artist Brian Robinson.

Okay, it’s going to be late, but better late than never. And, sometimes, delayed gratification is the best kind.